Sneezing fits? Red eyes? Itchy nose, eyes or throat? Blocked nose? Sore nasal passages? Headaches? Chances are you have spring allergies or hay fever.

With an early start to the spring pattern (windier westerlies and fluctuating weather) plus the warmer than average conditions lately it’s the perfect recipe for hay fever. Warmth encourages some trees to pollinate, the wind then shakes the trees and blows that pollen long distances. Many people across New Zealand have noticed the yellow/green pollen on their cars, windows and outdoor furniture in recent weeks – you can thank the pine forests for that.

Not everyone is affected by hay fever season – and even if you are, you may not be affected by pine pollen.

The peak of the allergy season is usually around October to January when a lot of flowers are in bloom and grasses dry out and also seed. Because of New Zealand’s climate (mild) it can also be an issue in the depths of winter, as some have noticed in recent weeks.